Alex Iwobi is discussing the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has assisted his football in what he sees as his finest start to a Premier League season up until now.

'Yeah, that really plays a part (in revealing myself),' the Fulham midfielder states.

'My dad's in your house and he's probably heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn't wish to cut it off so I believed let's do something different that no one else has. I literally informed the hairdresser to 'reveal yourself' but not too wild. It's wild due to the fact that it's red and purple at the minute however I like it. My father's accepted it now so I'm simple.'

It's a plain contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal debut under Arsene Wenger in 2015.

Iwobi insists that he's constantly had the frame of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football but has actually only revealed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and introducing his charitable foundation, Project 17.

'It's always been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it's only just recently that I have actually been expressing myself a lot more, to reveal individuals that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he says.

Alexi Iwobi has actually made his best start to a Premier League season with five goals in 15 matches

The 28-year-old says his multi-coloured braids have contributed to his on-pitch enhancement

It's a stark contrast from the short-haired teenager who made his debut under Arsene Wenger

This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work cut out as Fulham handle league leaders Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday and on Sunday, he will be back in London feeding 100 families for Christmas as part of Project 17.

For one day, there will be an AleXpress in Canning Town, his home town, where whatever will be free in a local grocery store.

'You know what Liverpool resemble - it's going to be an intense game however whether I get constrain or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,' Iwobi tensions.

'In your house I was raised in, my father naturally simply returned. To in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals in the street - he would just purchase bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has actually motivated me to offer to others, whether they are fortunate or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I seem like it's just best with the influence I have that I give back too.'

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has currently scored more goals than in any other season, with five in the league for a Fulham side that is just two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a child you want to do your finest to impress the manager and desire everyone to know you are fully focused on football. But it (flexibility) includes age, being totally free and not being pressed about negative remarks. If it's useful, you don't mind the criticism,' he says.

'You need to be strong psychologically. Players do well when they're positive and with me, feeling confident to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it truly plays a part.'

One of those individuals that backs him is Marco Silva, who signed Iwobi for ₤ 35M at Everton from Arsenal in 2019, and didn't think twice when he had the chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace versus Brighton recently, Silva said it was Iwobi's 'finest season in the Premier League so far' and he concurs.

The 28-year-old will feed 100 households on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17

Iwobi insists that he's constantly had the mindset of sensation like there's more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his launching song 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

'I have actually been associated with a great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might state it's my best start to the season - I just have to keep it going and make sure it's my finest season. That's the objective' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him 'the license to reveal' himself. 'It's nice to have a supervisor who offers you the confidence to do that,' he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his debut tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is referred to as a celebration of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing mixed with Rap".

It's also a tune that Silva's enjoying in the dressing space, with Fulham making their best start to a top-flight season because 2003-04.

'I don't get it on in the dressing room but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply can't help himself, Iwobi reveals.

'He is tapping the supervisor to listen to the tune. The very first time he (Silva) heard 'What's Luv?' he was simply vibing like, 'is this Alex?' and Calvin was like 'yes it's Alex!' He said it wasn't bad. I understand the very first time he didn't comprehend what was stated but he delighted in the beat. So it's a win-win.

'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having good feedback from the team - even the individuals who don't speak English as their first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing as well,' includes Iwobi.

Silva's strategy at Everton was to develop around the midfielder however he was sacked 4 months after signing Iwobi. Then Carlo Ancelotti played him out of position while Rafa Benitez barely played him at all.

Iwobi would take a trip throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football once again. Now that delight has been found after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

'Everyone's mindset is one for all and all for one so that's definitely assisting us this season. We have actually been having group meals and bonding and that's brought a great deal of togetherness, states Iwobi.

Marco Silva initially signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later in 2023

Iwobi will have his work eliminated as Fulham take on league leaders Liverpool at Anfield

'Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to eat. We organised a journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), came back then went once again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We seem like we're all set to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another group meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of 3 video games in 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wishes to take us out. That's another little bit of free food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's really good. It's like one huge household.'

But initially, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having actually taken points from Arsenal last week and narrowly losing at Man City in October in a video game where Pep Guardiola had lots of credit for Fulham.

'It shows we have the capability to complete with anyone. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the exact same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,' Iwobi firmly insists.

Get something at Anfield and Arne Slot's league-leaders may well be hearing 'What's Luv' blasting out from the away dressing space.

FulhamAlex Iwobi